I inhaled the crisp Montana air. The sky was as blue as far as I could see. There was snow on the mountain tops on the horizon.

I held the saddle and pulled my heavy frame up on the horse, Bolt.

“Whoa, boy.” I patted the regal chestnut and white horse along his mane. “Just a tour group. Nothing to get spooked about.”

The horse had spotted the group ahead. He didn’t like strangers any more than I did, but it was part of the Double Canyons Ranch life. Tourists. Strangers. My younger brother Nash insisted it was the only way to keep the ranch running.

It was one of the many reasons I thought he was a pain in the ass.

We still had to pay taxes. We still had to pay to keep the ranch running. An operation this large, needed cash flow. Nash had plans to keep the land in the family. What we called family.

Having a step-brother wasn’t something I accepted easily, but we were the only ones trying to keep the Double Canyons alive.

The tour guide’s voice drifted through the wind, giving a rehearsed spiel about the land and the horses.

The dad didn’t look comfortable on his horse. There were three children: two teenaged boys and one pre-teen girl. Unlike their father, the kids looked thrilled to be horseback riding. The youngest boy looked so excited, he pretended he was a cowboy, sitting perched on his horse with a straight back, haughty grin, and a hat he probably bought at a tourist shop in Stonecreek Valley.

I smirked, catching snippets of the guide, Wesley, explaining basic horseback riding techniques.

“Lean forward when going downhill, and lean back with going uphill. It’ll make the horse’s job easier. Pull the reigns to the right when you want to turn right, and left to turn left. Pull them straight back to bring your horse to a stop, and give your horse a little kick to the sides when you want him to go. The more you kick, the faster they’ll go. But you guys are beginners, so take it easy, all right? Any questions?”

I shook my head. I tugged on the reins, staying out of sight from Wesley and the family.

I rode toward the gate, slowing Bolt once he reached the doors of the stable.

I hauled the saddle off Bolt and gave him fresh water before heading to the main cabin.

It took a while, but we had finally converted the rundown barn into a central location for guests to check in to their cabins and have meals. We served breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the help of Rosa and her staff.

Shit.

I grumbled when I saw the pile of mail waiting for me on the table. Damn it. There were more bills.

I growled, tossing the envelopes on the desk.

My ears pricked when I heard raised voices. Something wasn’t right in the lobby. I could hear Luanne was distressed. I walked closer to the door of my office so I could keep an eye on her.

Luanne had worked at Double Canyons for five years. She knew how to handle customers with fairness. She also knew how to run the staff. She was an asset to Wesley and me.

I leaned forward, listening to the conversation. Who in the hell was this customer?

I could only see her from behind. She had long blond hair and curves that hit in all the right places. Fuck. I hadn’t seen hips like that on a woman in too long. The ass on that woman was mouth-watering. I stared for a moment, wondering if she was alone, but I quickly snapped out of it.

Her voice rose over Luanne’s. “Look—I’m really not trying to be a bitch about this, but I’d like a nicer room. A more suitable room.”

“As I told you before, I’ll see what I can do, ma’am,” Luanne tried to explain. “But it would help if you could give me a better idea of why you aren’t happy with your cabin.”

“Well for starters, I don’t have a Wi-Fi connection.”

“Wi-Fi?” Luanne arched her eyebrows.

“There are no room service menus, or spa appointments. Also, it smells horrible. I’m next to a barn. Do you have any idea how the barn smells?”

Luanne chuckled. “I’m familiar with our stables.”

“I’m glad you find this funny.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but were you aware of what kind of resort this was before you decided to stay here? We don’t offer Wi-Fi or spa services. Or room service for that matter. This is a ranch.”

“Right. A ranch. Latest and greatest spa ranch craze. That’s why I’m here. But I’m going to be honest with you. It’s not starting off so great.”

Luanne shook her head. “Not a spa ranch. A ranch. A regular working ranch, ma’am.”

I cleared my throat and headed to the front desk. I’d heard enough. “Good morning, Luanne. How’s it going?”

“Good morning, Caleb.” Luanne looked relieved to see me intervene. “I’m fine. Just trying to help our guest. She isn’t happy with her accommodations, and our computer system is having issues today. I can’t seem to check what other more suitable cabins are available for her since she doesn’t like the one she booked—I mean, the one that was booked for her.” Luanne gave a tight-lipped smile that barely concealed her agitation.

“I see.”

The customer turned around.

I hadn’t expected the woman to be so drop-dead gorgeous. She looked like she belonged on the page of a magazine, not in Stonecreek Valley. Everything about her looked out-of-place in the rustic lodge.

My eyes trailed her from head to toe. She had gorgeous hair, luminous skin, pouty lips, and bright brown eyes.

I coughed. “Hi.” I stretched my hand toward her.

“Hi,” she responded, slowly taking my hand and shaking it.

It almost felt as if she had singed my skin. I pulled back.

“I’m Caleb Stone. Sounds like you’re having trouble with your cabin. What can I do for you?”

She dragged her teeth over her bottom lip. She was already driving me wild in less than five minutes of knowing her. I wanted to pull her to my chest and kiss her, but there were a lot of things wrong with that scenario. Too many people watching. And it just sounded plain crazy.

She straightened her shoulders. “I’m Claire. I’d like another cabin.”

I glanced at Luanne. “I’ll take care of this. I know the computers are down, but I’ll find a way to accommodate Mrs.—”

“Miss,” she corrected me. “Miss Parks.”

“I’ll help Miss Parks, Luanne. I’ve got it from here.”

“You sure, boss?”

I nodded. “Yes. I’ll handle it.”

“Thank you so much.” Claire smiled.

I tried to ignore how it made my pulse race. How it made the beast inside him want to do unspeakable things. I had to put this in check, quickly.

“No problem. I’ve got the cabin for you.”

With that, I led Claire down the hall and around the corner and out the back door. There was a path to the secluded cabin next to the creek. I reached for her suitcase and carried it next to me.

“I really am sorry to seem like such a pest,” Claire explained from behind. “But it’s for your own good, I swear. I’m a freelance reporter for a travel magazine. I was sent here by my boss to check out your resort so that I could write a review.”

My eyebrows shot upward. “You’re here to write about Double Canyons?”

“Mmmhmm.” She nodded.

“Did anyone know you were coming?” I asked.

“To be honest I received the assignment last night. I haven’t had much time to prepare. I really couldn’t tell you what’s happening on your end.”

I marched forward, walking farther on the property. The cabin was the most remote of all the guest cabins and it was no doubt my favorite. If you left the windows open at night you could hear the stream bubbling, along with a few of the coyotes on the other side of the mountain.

As soon as I left the new guest I was going to track down my step-brother. Someone needed to answer for this. I twisted the handle in my large hand and pushed the door open.

“How’s this?” I asked, watching her take in the new space.

She frowned. “Still not a spa?”

I chuckled. “Baby, if you’re looking for a spa, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

“Did you just call me baby?” Her eyes flared. Damn, she was adorable.

I shrugged. “Do you want the cabin or not?”

She sighed. “Fine. I’ll take it.”

I tossed the keys to her. She barely caught them before they hit the floor.